Aging fireboat Alki to be inspected as city explores its future

In a second attempt to sell Seattle’s 1927-vintage fireboat Alki, the city is having the 123-foot boat dry-docked, cleaned and examined by a marine surveyor.

Work could begin as early as Tuesday and is expected to take about a week and a half, said Katherine Schubert-Knapp of the city’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services.

The Alki, replaced by newer and more maneuverable fireboats, failed to draw a viable bidder in a 10-day online auction earlier this year. The lack of a survey of the boat was an obstacle for some bidders, because such an inspection is required before insurance can be obtained.

A second auction is possible, but Schubert-Knapp said the city won’t make a decision about the next step until completion of the survey, which will help determine what shape the vessel is in.

The city has hired the Magnolia-based Fishing Vessel Owners Marine Ways Inc. to dry dock the Alki, and clean its surfaces in preparation for the survey, to cost $8,979. The marine survey, to cost $1,700, will be performed by Bowditch Marine Inc.

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The Today File is a general news blog featuring real-time coverage of Seattle and the Northwest. It is reported by the news staff of The Seattle Times and includes stories from The Associated Press and McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.